Maintaining a normal weight, eating a nutritious diet, exercising and not smoking are all crucial to staying healthy, but only about 3% of people manage to achieve all four of these healthy habits.

The Michigan Department of Community Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a telephone survey of more than 4,000 Michigan residents in 1998 and 2000.

The investigators found that about 38% of adults maintained a healthy body weight, while just over 20% ate the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. Only about one-quarter engaged in regular physical activity, and roughly the same number smoked.

Women were more likely to engage in all four healthy behaviors than men. Fewer than 2% of men achieved all four behaviors, whereas 4.5% of women did. In addition, the number of college graduates achieving all four behaviors was three times higher than the number of those with a high school education or less.

The researchers also note that those who reported being unhealthy were less likely to practice the behaviors than those who reported excellent health.

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer, will affect most people living in the US (and other developed nations).

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report September 7, 2001; 50: 758-761